Chaffee host Grandview at homecoming looking for first winning season since 2017

Throughout the week of practices in Chaffee, the message was clear.

The Red Devils must defeat Grandview and get their fifth win.

Chaffee host the Eagles for homecoming Friday with a chance to finish the regular season with a 5-4 record, its first winning season since 2017.

A lot of the seniors were limited with injuries last year and are a big part of the Red Devils' success this year now that they're healthy.

"We got a feeling if we were all healthy that we would do really good," Chaffee runningback Shelton Simmons said. "We're doing what we expected to do."

The Red Devils' schedule was set up well for them to get to this point, as their wins came against Charleston (2-6), Malden (0-8), Hayti (1-6), and a win by forfeit over Doniphan, who canceled its season last week. Grandview defeated Chaffee 26-21 last season but were 8-3 last year and are coming in at 3-5. The forfeit win has allowed the Red Devils to rest up and be better prepared for the Eagles.

Carson Spies leads the Chaffee offense with 732 rushing yards, eight rushing touchdowns, and three passing touchdowns to Blake Yarbro.

The defense is the Red Devils' main strength. Levi McKinnie's move to defensive end has paid off, as the senior has racked up six sacks on the season. Yarbro also has five sacks, and Angel Navarro got to the quarterback three times.

"Being in the weight room, putting on weight, I mean, it's always been my dream position to play DE," McKinnine said. "It just finally worked out in my favor."

Carter Cossou led the defensive unit with 75 tackles, highlighted by a 21-tackle game against Kelly on Oct. 8. However, with him out for the rest of the season with a leg injury, it's up to McKinnine and the rest of the pass rushers to maintain Chaffee's defensive might.

"We got guys that are gonna step up and get the job done," McKinnie said. "This game is gonna be big and everybody knows their job and we just got to execute."

A win will also secure a home game for Chaffee in the Class 1 District 2 playoffs next week.

"That would be big," McKinnie said. "That's something we haven't done in quite some time and it would mean a lot to the community."